Passage du Grand-Cerf, Historic covered passage in Bonne-Nouvelle district, Paris, France
Passage du Grand-Cerf is a covered shopping arcade in the Bonne-Nouvelle district, extending approximately 117 meters long and 3 meters wide. A large glass roof supported by an iron framework runs the length of the passage and floods the interior with natural light.
Built in 1825 on the site of the former Hotel du Grand Cerf, this passage emerged when covered shopping galleries were becoming popular destinations across Paris. These enclosed spaces were a 19th-century innovation that changed how city dwellers shopped and moved through urban areas.
The passage houses small shops and craft workshops run by local artisans and designers who display their work here. This kind of space remains important in Paris for people seeking handmade items and personal service from independent makers.
Located between Rue Saint-Denis and Rue Dussoubs in the 2nd arrondissement, the passage is easily accessible via the nearby Etienne Marcel metro station. The covered walkway offers a sheltered, dry space for shopping or strolling regardless of weather conditions outside.
A carved wooden stag head marks the entrance, giving the passage its name and remaining visible today as a historic marker. Shop facades along the corridor feature unexpected animal designs including crabs, elephants, and dragonflies that preserve an unusual decorative tradition from the past.
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